10 Best Shopping in Seattle, Washington

Aesthetes and architects haunt this shop, which is stocked with all things design. Rare, international architecture, art, and design books (including titles for children) mingle with high-end products from Alessi and Iittala; sleek notebooks, bags, portfolios, and drawing tools round out the collection. This is a great shop for quirky, unforgettable gifts, like a pentagram typography calendar, an Arne Jacobsen wall clock, or an aerodynamic umbrella.

Since 1984, this bastion of bibliophilia has offered new, used, and collectible titles to discerning shoppers. Its shelves are especially strong in art, photography, and graphic design. This eclectic assortment will satisfy both the avid reader and discriminating collector.

Japanophiles, get thee to this Tokyo-based chain for a huge collection of books, magazines, office supplies, collectibles, clothes, and gifts. Their manga selection is particularly impressive—nearly every title you could want is represented, and they'll happily order anything you don't find in the store.

Whether you're searching for a laminated pocket map of Seattle or a world map made up of music notes, stop here for a massive selection of books, globes, charts, atlases, antique reproduction maps, and local satellite images. Don't let the store's location in the middle of Pike Place Market fool you: this is a Seattle institution, not a tourist trap.

With a tiny spiral staircase leading to the basement, and resident cats wandering through the tightly packed aisles, Ophelia's offers a classic used-bookstore experience in an age when so many are disappearing. The owner is known for her excellent taste, and it shows—you'll find major titles from notable authors as well as obscure works and poetry books. Be sure to ask for recommendations—she'll be happy to help.

Comics and geek culture may be more popular than ever but many fans still feel underserved by the shops catering to the traditional audience. Enter Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique, a small, welcoming space that showcases comics and more created by and for women, minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community. The unique selection might even make a new comics appreciator out of you.

A gem of an independent bookstore, Phinney Books is owned by local eight-time Jeopardy! champ and reading enthusiast Tom Nissley, who's stocked his charming shop with an expertly curated selection of books, including many titles by local authors and a whimsical section for kids.

Named after the Francis Hodgson Burnett classic, this cozy shop has delighted readers for decades. A favorite of teachers, librarians, and parents, it stocks a wide array of imaginative literature and thoughtful nonfiction for all ages; their children's section is particularly noteworthy.

It's hard to miss this excellent used-book store: simply look for the six-foot neon cat waving his Cheshire tail. Inside, you'll find plenty more kitties winding their way through the maze of stacks. The specialties here are rare books and out-of-print treasures, but they've got a smattering of everything and the employees (feline and human) care deeply about finding you the right books.

Campus bookstores are usually rip-offs to be endured only by students clutching syllabi, but the University of Washington's store is a big exception to that rule. This enormous resource has a well-stocked general book department in addition to the requisite textbooks. Author events are scheduled all year long. Check out the bargain-book tables and the basement crammed with every art supply imaginable. They also carry a good selection of UW Husky gear if you need a souvenir and plenty of local gifts.